Warrior matmen prevail

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on December 9, 2004 1:55 PM

• Print
• Email

SEVEN SPRINGS -- Eastern Wayne benefited from pinfalls and forfeits during its 51-19, non-conference wrestling victory Wednesday evening at Spring Creek.

But the Gators claimed a couple of battles -- particularly a nail-biting classic at 119 pounds.

The Warriors' Josh Stevens earned the first takedown and appeared to gain early control. Spring Creek's Darrin Staub reversed the hold and put Stevens on his back long enough to collect three nearfall points for a 5-4 lead.

Staub chose the bottom position to begin the second period and escaped Stevens' grasp. He put Stevens on his back again for less than five seconds to gain two nearfall points and boost his advantage to 8-4.

Stevens, following Staub's lead from the opening period, scored a reversal and two nearfall points to force an 8-8 tie. The contest remained knotted after two periods.

Stevens picked bottom to start the third and escaped, taking a 9-8 lead much to the delight of the Eastern Wayne crowd. Staub stayed focused, recording a takedown and nearfall to go ahead 13-9. With 30 seconds left, Stevens tied the match at 13-13 on a reversal and two nearfall points.

Staub got to his feet, broke Stevens' hold and gained the game-winning escape point with three seconds left.

"That was a battle," veteran Eastern Wayne coach Mike Brown said of the 14-13 decision. "That was the best match of the night. Both men were spent."

Eastern Wayne (3-1) held a slim 23-16 lead after six matches had been completed.

Timmy Brown (145 pounds) and Travis Turner (171) each received a forfeit. Tyler Wicks (160) picked up a second-period pin, while senior David Brown (189) scored a 17-0 technical fall against Billy Salazar.

Veterans Tim Buckingham (152), Wes Denham (215) and heavyweight Orlando Rodriguez prevailed for the Gators during that stretch. Buckingham collected a second-period pin while Denham, a returning state qualifier, easily defeated Eric Stover 13-2. Rodriguez pinned Michael Beers in 30 seconds.

Neither team fielded a wrestler at 103, which resulted in a double forfeit. They split matches at 112 and 119, keeping the overall match score close -- 29-18 -- with four individual bouts remaining.

The Warriors swept all four -- by pinfall -- to end the match.

Both teams return to action Saturday in the annual Eagle Invitational at Rosewood. The 20-team tournament is scheduled for a 9 a.m. start.

"(We're) looking forward to Rosewood," Brown said. "That should be a good one. We had a decent tournament last weekend even though we were still missing a couple of starters.

"I've got a new heavyweight (Brandon Johnson) that will wrestle this weekend hopefully he'll get me a point or two. If no one gets hurt this week, I'll have a full team for the first time this season."

Eastern Wayne 51

Spring Creek 19

145 -- Timmy Brown (EW) by forfeit; 152 -- Tim Buckingham (SC) wbf Brian Lincoln, 2:32; 160 -- Tyler Wicks (EW) wbf Daquan Wright, 3:50; 171 -- Travis Turner (EW) by forfeit; 189 -- David Brown (EW) tech fall Billy Salazar, 17-0; 215 -- Wes Denham (SC) maj. dec. Eric Stover, 13-2; Hwt -- Orlando Rodriguez (EW) wbf Michael Beers, 0:30; 103 -- double forfeit; 112 -- Chris Tesar (EW) by forfeit; 119 -- Darrin Staub (SC) dec. Josh Stevens, 14-13; 125 -- Kevin Bryant (EW) wbf Tyler Herring, 1:52; 130 -- Shaun Leftdridge (EW) by DQ over Jason Medlin; 135 -- Chris Martin (EW) wbf Paul Richter, 3:30; 140 -- Decarlos Jones (EW) wbf Johnathan Lewis, 0:32.